Challenges to professional assessment and intervention for families with complex needs

Challenges to professional assessment and intervention for families with complex needs

Senior Lecturer, Rick Hood, has written a comprehensive account of the challenges to professional assessment and intervention presented by families with complex needs.

In this work, he examines the issues connected with risk management and uncertainty and discusses the implications for integrated working so professionals can provide a service that responds to the needs of vulnerable children.

He suggests that the current approach to integration in children’s services is driven by managerial models and concerned primarily with risk and accountability, which arguably does not take into account the unpredictable dynamics associated with complex casework. Therefore, he concludes that many of the so-called ‘integrated’ processes and tools in use today may be hindering professional expertise, just when it is needed the most.

Mr Hood is currently researching ways in which the learning experience for social work students can be enhanced with regard to interdisciplinary professional practice in child protection.